Work Health and Safety (How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace) Code of Practice 2015

made under the

Work Health and Safety Act 2011, section 274 (Approved Codes of Practice)

1 Name of instrument

This instrument is the Work Health and Safety (How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace) Code of Practice 2015.

2 Commencement

This instrument commences on the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.

3 Code of Practice Approval

I approve the How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace Code of Practice. I am satisfied that this code of practice was developed by a process described in section 274(2) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Michaelia Cash

Minister for Employment

18 March 2016

Date   

HOW TO MANAGE
AND CONTROL ASBESTOS
IN THE WORKPLACE

Code of Practice

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 What are the prohibitions on asbestos in the workplace?

1.2 Who has duties to manage and control asbestos or ACM?

1.3 The meaning of key terms

2. MANAGING RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ASBESTOS AND ACM

2.1 what is involved in managing risks?

2.2 Identifying if asbestos or ACM is at the workplace

2.3 Assuming asbestos or ACM is present

2.4 Arranging a sample to identify asbestos

2.5 Indicating the presence of asbestos in the workplace

2.6 Assessing the risk of exposure

3. ASBESTOS REGISTER

3.1 What is an asbestos register?

3.2 Reviewing and revising an asbestos register

3.3 Accessing an asbestos register

3.4 Transferring an asbestos register

4. ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT PLAN

4.1 What is an asbestos management plan?

4.2 Reviewing an asbestos management plan

4.3 Accessing an asbestos management plan

5. MANAGING OTHER ASBESTOs-related risks

5.1 Naturally occurring asbestos

5.2 Contaminated sites

5.3 Demolition and refurbishment work

5.4 Asbestos-related work

5.5 Disposing of asbestos or ACM

6. MANAGING EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS OR ACM

6.1 Measuring the exposure standard

6.2 Health monitoring

6.3 Training workers about asbestos or ACM

6.4 Limited use of equipment

7. CONTROLLING THE RISKS

7.1 Removing asbestos

7.2 Enclosing asbestos

7.3 Encapsulation and sealing asbestos

7.4 Tools and equipment

7.5 Safe work practices

7.6 Personal protective equipment

7.7 Laundering clothing

7.8 Cleaning up

APPENDIX A – SAMPLING PROCESS

APPENDIX B – EXAMPLES OF WARNING SIGNS AND LABELS

APPENDIX C – TEMPLATE OF AN ASBESTOS REGISTER

APPENDIX D – EXAMPLE OF AN ASBESTOS REGISTER

APPENDIX E – EXAMPLE OF ASBESTOS-RELATED WORK

APPENDIX F – RECOMMENDED SAFE WORKING PRACTICES

FOREWORD

This Code of Practice on how to manage and control asbestos in the workplace is an approved code of practice under section 274 of the Work Health and Safety Act (the WHS Act).

An approved code of practice is a practical guide to achieving the standards of health, safety and welfare required under the WHS Act and the Work Health and Safety Regulations (the WHS Regulations).

A code of practice applies to anyone who has a duty of care in the circumstances described in the code. In most cases, following an approved code of practice would achieve compliance with the health and safety duties in the WHS Act, in relation to the subject matter of the code. Like regulations, codes of practice deal with particular issues and do not cover all hazards or risks that may arise. The health and safety duties require duty holders to consider all risks associated with work, not only those for which regulations and codes of practice exist.

Codes of practice are admissible in court proceedings under the WHS Act and Regulations. Courts may regard a code of practice as evidence of what is known about a hazard, risk or control and may rely on the code in determining what is reasonably practicable in the circumstances to which the code relates.

The WHS Act and Regulations may be complied with by following another method, such as a technical or an industry standard, if it provides an equivalent or higher standard of work health and safety than the code.

The WHS Act and Regulations many be complied with by  following another method, such as technical or an industry standard, if it provides an equivalent or higher standard of work health and safety than the code.

An inspector may refer to an approved code of practice when issuing an improvement or prohibition notice. 

This Code of Practice has been developed by Safe Work Australia as a model code of practice under the Council of Australian Governments’ Inter-Governmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety for adoption by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments.

A draft of this Code of Practice was released for public consultation on 7 December 2010 and was endorsed by the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council on 10 August 2011.

Scope and application

This Code provides practical guidance for persons conducting a business or undertaking on how to manage risks associated with asbestos and asbestos containing material (ACM) at the workplace and thereby minimise the incidence of asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

This Code provides information on how to identify the presence of asbestos at the workplace and how to implement measures to eliminate or minimise the risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.

In some cases, the most appropriate control measure determined may be to remove the asbestos. The Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos provides further guidance for asbestos removalists so asbestos can be removed whilst eliminating, or where this is not possible, minimising the exposure of workers and other persons to airborne asbestos.

Other laws relating to matters such as environmental protection, public health, building and construction and local government regulation may apply in addition to the WHS Act and WHS Regulations.

Some chapters of this Code will apply to asbestos that is present in domestic premises when the premises becomes a workplace.

How to use this Code of Practice

In providing guidance, the word ‘should’ is used in this Code to indicate a recommended course of action, while ‘may’ is used to indicate an optional course of action.

This Code also includes various references to sections of the WHS Act and Regulations to provide context with legal requirements. These references are not exhaustive. The words ‘must’, ‘requires’ or ‘mandatory’ indicate that these legal requirements exist and must be complied with.

1.1         What are the prohibitions on asbestos in the workplace?

The final prohibition for asbestos in the workplace came into effect on 31 December 2003. These prohibitions do not apply if the work involving asbestos is any of the following:

• genuine research and analysis
• sampling and identification in accordance with the WHS Regulations
• maintenance of, or service work on, non-friable asbestos or ACM, fixed or installed before 31 December 2003, in accordance with the WHS Regulations
• removal or disposal of asbestos or ACM, including demolition, in accordance with the WHS Regulations
• transport and disposal of asbestos and asbestos waste in accordance with jurisdictional legislation
• demonstrations, education or practical training in relation to asbestos or ACM
• display, or preparation or maintenance for display, of an artefact or thing that is, or includes, asbestos or ACM
• management in accordance with the WHS Regulations of in‑situ asbestos that was installed or fixed before 31 December 2003
• work that disturbs asbestos during mining operations that involve the extraction of or exploration for a mineral other than asbestos
• laundering asbestos-contaminated clothing in accordance with the WHS Regulations
• where the regulator approves the method adopted for managing risk associated with asbestos.

Work involving asbestos-contaminated soil is not prohibited as long as a competent person has determined the soil does not contain any visible ACM or friable asbestos. If friable asbestos is visible, it should not contain more than trace levels of asbestos determined in accordance with AS4964:2004 Method for the qualitative identification of asbestos in bulk samples.

The management of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) that stays in its natural state is not prohibited if managed in accordance with an asbestos management plan.

Although the ultimate goal of this prohibition is for all workplaces to be free of asbestos, it is only when these materials are being replaced or where they present a health risk that non-asbestos alternatives must be used. Caution needs to be taken when working with buildings constructed prior to 1990 or newer buildings that may have used recycled materials and may have reinstated old plant containing ACM gaskets and/or linings.

If asbestos or ACM is identified in a workplace and demolition or refurbishment work is going to be carried out, the asbestos or ACM must be removed if it is likely to be disturbed before the work starts. If other maintenance or service work is to be carried out at the workplace, removal of asbestos should be considered as a control measure.

Where removal is not reasonably practicable, other control measures must be implemented to minimise exposure, including encapsulation or sealing. 

In addition to the prohibition, there is also a restriction on who can remove asbestos. Asbestos removalists and their workers must be competent to carry out asbestos removal work and, except in limited circumstances, must be licensed. Further details on who can remove asbestos can be found in the WHS Regulations and the Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos.

Prohibitions on the import of plant and other materials that contain asbestos

The importation of asbestos or materials containing asbestos into Australia is generally prohibited under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (Customs PI Regulations).

To complement the ban on the importation, manufacture and use of all forms of asbestos and asbestos-containing products from 31 December 2003, the import prohibition on asbestos under the Customs PI Regulations was also introduced.

If plant or other materials are imported from countries where asbestos is not yet prohibited, a quality assurance system should be put in place to ensure they do not contain asbestos prior to supplying or using it in the workplace.

Further information on importing asbestos or any other customs matter is available on the Customs website <http://www.customs.gov.au>.

1.2         Who has duties to manage and control asbestos or ACM?

The WHS Act requires all persons who conduct a business or undertaking to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and other persons are not put at risk from work carried out as part of the business or undertaking. The WHS Regulations include specific obligations to manage and control asbestos and ACM at the workplace. These are summarised in the table below.

In some cases, there may be more than one person with management or control of a workplace. For example:

• a person with management of a workplace is a tenant
• a person with control of a workplace has the power to make decisions and changes to the structure and use of the workplace. This person will usually be the owner of the workplace or a representative of the owner and may:

• own the workplace and engage workers to carry out work there
• own the workplace but lease it to another person conducting a business or undertaking at the workplace
• have management or control over the workplace, for example a property management group or agent.

1.3         The meaning of key terms

Airborne asbestos means any fibres of asbestos small enough to be made airborne. For the purposes of monitoring airborne asbestos fibres, only respirable fibres are counted.

Asbestos means the asbestiform varieties of mineral silicates belonging to the serpentine or amphibole groups of rock-forming minerals, including actinolite asbestos, grunerite (or amosite) asbestos (brown), anthophyllite asbestos, chrysotile asbestos (white), crocidolite asbestos (blue) and tremolite asbestos.

Asbestos containing material (ACM) means any material or thing that, as part of its design, contains asbestos.

Asbestos-contaminated dust or debris (ACD) means dust or debris that has settled within a workplace and is (or assumed to be) contaminated with asbestos.

Asbestos-related work means work involving asbestos (other than asbestos removal work to which Part 8.7 of the WHS Regulations applies) that is permitted under the exceptions set out in regulation 419(3), (4) and (5).

Asbestos removalist means a person conducting a business or undertaking who carries out asbestos removal work.

Asbestos removal work means:

• work involving the removal of asbestos or ACM
• Class A asbestos removal work or Class B asbestos removal work as outlined in Part 8.10 of the WHS Regulations.

Competent person means a person who has acquired, through training, qualification or experience, the knowledge and skills to carry out the task.

Exposure standard for asbestos is a respirable fibre level of 0.1 fibres/ml of air measured in a person’s breathing zone and expressed as a time weighted average fibre concentration calculated over an eight-hour working day and measured over a minimum period of four hours in accordance with:

• the Membrane Filter Method
• a method determined by the relevant regulator.

Friable asbestos means material that is in a powder form or that can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure when dry, and contains asbestos.

GHS means Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.

In-situ asbestos means asbestos or ACM fixed or installed in a structure, equipment or plant but does not include naturally occurring asbestos.

NATA-accredited laboratory means a testing laboratory accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), Australia, or recognised by NATA either solely or with someone else.

Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) means the natural geological occurrence of asbestos minerals found in association with geological deposits including rock, sediment or soil.

Non-friable asbestos means material containing asbestos that is not friable asbestos, including material containing asbestos fibres reinforced with a bonding compound.

Respirable asbestos means an asbestos fibre that:

• is less than 3 microns (µm) wide
• is more than 5 microns (µm) long
• has a length to width ratio of more than 3:1.

2.1         What is involved in managing risks?

Managing the risks associated with asbestos involves:

• identifying asbestos and ACM at the workplace and recording this in the asbestos register
• assessing the risk of exposure to airborne asbestos
• eliminating or minimising the risks by implementing control measures
• reviewing control measures to ensure they are effective.

When choosing the most appropriate control measure, the following hierarchy of controls must be considered:

• eliminating the risk (for example, removing the asbestos)
• substituting the risk, isolating the risk or applying engineering controls (for example, enclosing, encapsulation, sealing or using certain tools)
• using administrative controls (for example, safe work practices)
• using PPE.

A combination of these controls may be required in order to adequately manage and control asbestos or ACM. Chapter 7 of this Code provides more information on the different control measures that can be used.

General guidance on the risk management process is available in the Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks.

Consulting your workers

Consultation with workers and their health and safety representatives is a critical part of managing work health and safety risks.

Consulting with and involving workers in the identification and safe handling of asbestos can assist in ensuring that safety instructions and safe work practices are complied with.

Health and safety representatives must have access to relevant information on matters that can affect the health and safety of workers, for example asbestos exposure data and the asbestos register.

Consulting, cooperating and coordinating activities with other duty holders

Section 46 The WHS Act requires that persons conducting a business or undertaking consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with all other persons who have a work health or safety duty
in relation to the same matter, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Sometimes there may be other businesses that are involved in the same activities or share the same workplace. For example:

The owner of an arcade is renovating one of the shops for a new tenant to move into. The building owner has engaged a number of contractors to carry out the renovation work including demolishing a wall. The building owner has management and control over the workplace and is responsible for ensuring the current asbestos register is updated due to the work that is being carried out. The building owner consults other tenants that may be impacted by the renovation work on the identification of asbestos and what will need to be done if asbestos is disturbed. As the work begins, the building owner, contractors and tenants all co-operate with each other and co-ordinate their activities to protect any persons from potential exposure to asbestos.

Further guidance on consultation is available in the Code of Practice: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination.

2.2         Identifying if asbestos or ACM is at the workplace

This section does not apply to naturally occurring asbestos (NOA).

Regulation 422 A person with management or control of a workplace must ensure asbestos
or ACM at the workplace is identified by a competent person.

Identifying asbestos or ACM is the first step in managing the risk of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. As there may be more than one person in the workplace responsible for this duty, it is important that all duty holders consult, cooperate and coordinate with each other as well as consulting with workers and health and safety representatives, for example the person with control of the workplace may carry out the task of identifying asbestos with the person who has day-to-day management of the workplace to ensure it has been done accurately.

If the person with management or control of the workplace assumes that asbestos or ACM is present, or if they have reasonable grounds to believe that asbestos is not present, a competent person does not need to be engaged to make this decision.

Who can be a competent person?

The WHS Regulations define a competent person to be someone who has acquired knowledge and skills to carry out the task through training, a qualification or experience. This may mean that the competent person who can identify asbestos is:

• trained to handle and take asbestos samples, have the knowledge and experience to identify suspected asbestos and be able to determine risk and controls measures
• familiar with building and construction practices to determine where asbestos is likely to be present
• able to determine that material may be friable or non-friable asbestos and evaluate its condition.

There may be a person within the business that is competent to identify asbestos. If there is not, an external competent person should be engaged. Persons who may be considered to be competent in the identification of asbestos include:

• occupational hygienists who have experience with asbestos
• licensed asbestos assessors
• asbestos removal supervisors
• individuals who have a statement of attainment in the unit competency for asbestos assessors
• a person working for an organisation accredited by NATA under AS/NZS ISO/IEC 17020: 2000 General criteria for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection for surveying asbestos.

Factors to consider when identifying asbestos

The person who is carrying out the task of identifying asbestos should have all relevant information so they can correctly identify where asbestos is located in the workplace. For example, obtaining information on the products used in making the building, structure or plant, including building plans, design specifications, and correspondence with builders and plant manufacturers. Consulting Workers in the workplace may also be able to assist the person with this task.

There are a number of factors that may be taken into account to identify or assume that asbestos is present in a workplace. These include:

2.3         Assuming asbestos or ACM is present

This section does not apply to NOA.

 If there is uncertainty as to whether asbestos is present in any part of a structure or plant, the person with management or control of the workplace can either assume asbestos is present and treat it with appropriate caution based on the level of risk or have a sample analysed. If it is assumed to be asbestos, it is considered to be asbestos for legal purposes. There is no need to take a sample for analysis and identification in all circumstances. This means the suspect material can remain undisturbed and the time and cost of sampling and analysis is avoided.

The person with management or control of a workplace can assume asbestos or ACM is not present as long as this assumption is based on reasonable grounds, which may include:

• a workplace is constructed post 1990 and there is no plant or equipment made prior to 2004
• pre-2004 buildings where the building is constructed (including the roof) wholly of metal, brick or concrete, and has no internal walls that are made of fibro, gyprock or similar cladding, for instance a corrugated iron shed or a colourbond type warehouse building constructed of double brick with bare brick internally. Flooring (vinyl tiles), switchboards and under eaves lining should also be considered
• where a register indicates that all the identified and assumed asbestos has been removed.

Once the presence and location of asbestos has been assumed:

• all requirements for managing asbestos must be followed until the material is removed or testing has confirmed that it is not or does not contain asbestos
• the workplace asbestos register must include all the presumptions made about materials in the workplace with a simple, generic statement such as, ‘Roof sheeting is presumed to contain asbestos’ or ‘All underground conduits are presumed to contain asbestos.’

Inaccessible areas

If there are inaccessible areas in the workplace that a competent person has identified as likely to have asbestos or ACM, it must be assumed they contain asbestos until they are accessed and it is determined whether asbestos is present or not.

As a general rule, an inaccessible area is an area that cannot be accessed during normal daily activities or routine maintenance. The following areas are not regarded as ‘inaccessible areas’ and must be inspected or assumed to contain asbestos:

• locked rooms
• crawl spaces
• basement and cellars
• storage areas
• ceiling spaces
• fire doors
• locked security safes.

Accessing fire door and security safe cores to determine whether they contain asbestos may create a risk, for example drilling can result in the release of airborne asbestos. If this is the case, cores should not be accessed and must be assumed to contain asbestos until otherwise proven (for instance, during maintenance when access is obtained) or information is obtained from the supplier. Fire doors may have a compliance tag on the door jamb stating the fire rating and a compliance date. This can provide an indication of whether the door is likely to contain asbestos.

Examples of inaccessible areas that may contain asbestos or ACM are:

• a cavity in a building that is completely (or almost completely) enclosed and suspected of containing asbestos (based on where asbestos is located elsewhere in the building) and access is only possible through destruction of part of the walls of the cavity
• the inner lining of an old boiler pressure vessel (information on this type of vessel suggests it contains asbestos) and the inner lining is not accessible due to the design and operation of the boiler and access can only be via partial destruction of the outer layer
• vinyl tiles that may contain asbestos, which have had a number of layers of non-ACM placed over them and secured, where the layers above it have been well secured and require some form of destruction in order to access the vinyl that may contain asbestos
• enclosed riser shafts in multi-storey buildings containing cables that may be insulated with ACM
• air-conditioning ducts that may contain asbestos gaskets and linings.

2.4         Arranging a sample to identify asbestos

This section does not apply to NOA.

It can be difficult to tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labelled. If a material has been imported from overseas, it may not be labelled as containing asbestos or it may only be labelled if the materials contain more than 10% asbestos. Therefore,
a sample should be taken and analysed unless the decision was made to assume it is asbestos.

Only a competent person may take the samples for analysis because of the increased health risk of fibres being released during the process. If the sampling process is conducted incorrectly, it can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. All asbestos samples must be analysed by
a NATA-accredited laboratory or one that is approved or operated by the relevant regulator. Any sample taken should be sealed within a container, or a 200 µm polythene bag, and appropriately labelled.

Once the results of the sampling are known, the person with management or control of the workplace must ensure the asbestos register is updated indicate that the material is asbestos
or is assumed to be.

If asbestos is stable, non-friable and will not be disturbed, it should be left alone. Only material that is damaged or will be disturbed should be sampled. If the material may contain asbestos and it is decided not to take samples, an assumption must be made that the material contains asbestos.

Appendix A provides a procedure that a competent person can follow when undertaking sampling.

2.5         Indicating the presence of asbestos in the workplace

This section does not apply to NOA.

Regulation 424 A person with management or control of a workplace must ensure the presence and location of asbestos or ACM identified at the workplace is clearly indicated. If reasonably practicable, the asbestos or ACM must be indicated by a label.

All identified or assumed asbestos, including where the asbestos is inaccessible, must be clearly indicated. If it is reasonably practicable, labels must be used to identify the material as containing asbestos. However, signs may be more appropriate to use.

Examples of labels or signs that can be used to indicate the location or presence of asbestos or ACM are shown at Appendix B. These examples provide an indication of the words that may be used—these words are not mandatory.

Labels

If labels can be used, a competent person should determine the number and positions of the labels required. The location of labels should be consistent with the location listed in the asbestos register.

If a risk assessment suggests asbestos may be disturbed or people are likely to be exposed and it is not reasonably practicable to label asbestos directly, a prominent warning sign must be posted in its immediate vicinity. For example, if floor tiles have been identified as containing asbestos, an appropriate warning sign may be displayed on an adjacent wall.

Warning signs

All warning signs should comply with AS 1319 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment.

Any areas of a workplace that contain asbestos, including plant, equipment and components, should be signposted with warning signs to ensure the asbestos is not unknowingly disturbed without the correct precautions being taken. These signs should be weatherproof, constructed of light-weight material and adequately secured. Signs should be placed at all the main entrances to the work areas where asbestos is present.

Where direct marking of asbestos is not possible, identifying the presence and location of asbestos to workers such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters before they commence work may be achieved by implementing a permit-to-work system. The presence and location of the asbestos should be entered on site plans and the asbestos register and be accessible to all workers to ensure they are aware of the presence of asbestos.

2.6         Assessing the risk of exposure

This section does not apply to NOA.

If asbestos or ACM is in good condition and left undisturbed, it is unlikely that airborne asbestos will be released into the air and the risk to health is extremely low. It is usually safer to leave it and review its condition over time. However, if the asbestos or ACM has deteriorated, has been disturbed, or if asbestos-contaminated dust is present, the likelihood that airborne asbestos will be released into the air is increased.

The type of material that binds asbestos fibres will influence the potential for airborne asbestos to be released into the air from different asbestos or ACM. For example, a loosely bound sprayed (or limpet) coating is more likely to release fibres when disturbed than asbestos cement in which fibres are firmly bound.

The following list ranks different types of asbestos according to the likelihood that airborne asbestos can be released into the air if it has deteriorated or been disturbed. The potential risk to health is greater for items higher up the list if people are exposed to airborne asbestos, but any of the materials listed can produce asbestos fibres if they are disturbed.

When deciding if there is a risk to health from asbestos, consider whether the asbestos or ACM is:

• in poor condition
• likely to be further damaged or to deteriorate
• likely to be disturbed due to work practices carried out in the workplace (for example,  routine and maintenance activities and their frequency)
• in an area where workers are exposed to the material.

A visual inspection of the material, its location and an understanding of the work practices at the workplace will assist this decision.

Asbestos-related work activities (including maintenance) plus unusual and infrequent activities (such as emergency activities) need to be considered. Also take into account the proximity of the asbestos or ACM to where employees work, as this can affect the potential for exposure if asbestos fibres become airborne.

The following are examples of activities that could pose a risk to health:

• Forklifts driving adjacent to asbestos cement (AC) sheet walls may damage these sheets from accidental impacts during the course of work.
• Plumbers working on a long pipe that does not have asbestos insulation where the work is being done may cause disturbance to asbestos-containing insulation on the pipe some metres away.
• Electricians wiring in a ceiling space sprayed with material containing friable asbestos may disturb this material.
• Acid fumes from an acid bath located next to an asbestos cement wall and below an asbestos cement roof may cause deterioration of the asbestos material over time.

This chapter does not apply to domestic premises or NOA.

3.1         What is an asbestos register?

The asbestos register is a document that lists all identified (or assumed) asbestos in a workplace. The asbestos register must:

• record any asbestos or ACM that has been identified or is likely to be present at the workplace from time to time. This would include:

• the date on which the asbestos or ACM was identified
• the location, type and condition of the asbestos; or

• state that no asbestos or ACM is identified at the workplace if the person knows that no asbestos or ACM is identified or is likely to be present from time to time at the workplace.

Appendix C provides a template of an asbestos register, while Appendix D provides an example of how it should be completed.

A comprehensive asbestos register may also include:

• details of any asbestos assumed to be in the workplace
• results of any analysis that confirms a material at the workplace is or is not asbestos
• dates when the identification was carried out
• details of inaccessible areas.

It may also be useful to attach photographs or drawings to visually show the location of the asbestos or ACM in the workplace.

What if an asbestos register already exists at the workplace?

If an asbestos register already exists at the workplace there is no need to create another one.
The existing register can be reviewed and revised.

Persons conducting a business or undertaking who are carrying out or intend to carry out work
at a workplace, should obtain the current asbestos register and identify any asbestos or ACM that they have management or control of (for example, asbestos in items of plant). The person with management or control of the workplace should be advised if any asbestos or ACM is identified and not included in the asbestos register for the workplace.

If workers consider that the work they are about to do will disturb asbestos, they should talk to the person with management and control of the workplace or their health and safety representative.

Where asbestos is only temporarily in the workplace

In some cases it may not be necessary to include asbestos or ACM that is only temporarily present in the workplace. For example, if plant that contains asbestos is being repaired at the workplace but it is only there for a short period while being repaired, it does not need to be recorded in the asbestos register. However, if plant is often at the workplace (for example, where the company specialises in repairing plant that typically contains asbestos), it would be important to include this in the asbestos register. Note that where work involving asbestos is carried out, there are requirements to ensure the safety of the worker.

Where there is no asbestos register at the workplace

An asbestos register is not required if a workplace has been constructed after 31 December 2003 or if no asbestos has been identified.

If there is no asbestos register at the workplace but asbestos is identified during the course of any work being carried out, the person with management or control of the workplace should be advised who must then identify it (or ensure a competent person identifies it) and prepare a register.

As there will be no asbestos register at a domestic premise, the homeowner or landlord must be advised if asbestos is identified and appropriate action taken.

3.2         Reviewing and revising an asbestos register

The register should be reviewed at least once every five years to ensure it is kept up-to-date.

When reviewing the asbestos register, the person should carry out a visual inspection of the asbestos and ACM listed to determine its condition and revise the asbestos register as appropriate. Previous asbestos registers and records relating to asbestos removal jobs, for instance clearance certificates, can assist in identifying all asbestos and ACM in the workplace.

3.3         Accessing an asbestos register

Where work is being carried out or is about to be carried out at the workplace by a person conducting a business or undertaking and that work involves a risk of exposure to airborne asbestos, the person with management or control of the workplace must provide a copy of the asbestos register to that person.

A copy of the asbestos register should be kept at the workplace to ensure it is accessible.

3.4         Transferring an asbestos register

Regulation 428 If the person with management or control of a workplace plans to relinquish management or control (for instance, selling the workplace or the business or undertaking), they must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that a copy of the asbestos register is given to the person who is assuming management or control of the workplace.

This requirement does not apply to domestic premises.

4.1         What is an asbestos management plan?

An asbestos management plan sets out how asbestos or ACM that is identified at the workplace will be managed, for example what, when and how it is going to be done.

An asbestos management plan must include:

• the identification of asbestos and ACM, for example a reference or link to the asbestos register for the workplace, and the locations of signs and labels
• decisions, and reasons for the decisions, about the management of asbestos at the workplace, for example safe work procedures and control measures
• procedures for detailing accidents, incidents or emergencies of asbestos at the workplace
• workers carrying out work involving asbestos, for example consultation, information and training responsibilities.

Other information that may be included in the asbestos management plan is:

• an outline of how asbestos risks will be controlled, including consideration of appropriate control measures
• a timetable for managing risks of exposure, for example priorities and dates for any reviews, circumstances and activities that could affect the timing of action
• identification of each person with responsibilities under the asbestos management plan and the person’s responsibilities
• procedures, including a timetable for reviewing and, if necessary, revising the asbestos management plan and asbestos register
• air monitoring procedures at the workplace, if required.

4.2         Reviewing an asbestos management plan

4.3         Accessing an asbestos management plan

The asbestos management plan should be kept at the workplace to ensure it is accessible.

5.1         Naturally occurring asbestos

What is NOA?

In the majority of workplaces, the asbestos that is encountered and poses a risk to health and safety will be found in manufactured products. However, some workplaces may have to deal with asbestos in its natural state. NOA may be encountered in road building, site and construction work, and other excavation activities. Asbestos may occur in veins within rock formations.

Requirements to manage NOA

Due to the difficulties in fully describing the location and extent of a NOA deposit in an asbestos register, there is no requirement for NOA be listed in an asbestos register. However, any NOA identified or assumed at a workplace must be included on the asbestos management plan for the workplace or be the subject of a new asbestos management plan. This is to ensure steps are put in place, as with all other asbestos encountered in workplaces, to ensure that risks of exposure from NOA are assessed and managed.

Preparing an asbestos management plan

When preparing an asbestos management plan, the following should be considered:

• isolating the workplace or part of the workplace until controls are in place
• deviating excavation to ensure avoidance of the deposit, where possible
• using sealed excavation or mining equipment (air-conditioned cabins with filtered air)
• maintaining regular surveillance of the rock by a competent person to ensure minimal disturbance of suspected fibrous minerals
• developing procedures for the safe disposal of asbestos waste, if required
• educating the workers in safe work practices.

Information on the contents, review and accessibility of the asbestos management plan can be found in Chapter 4 of this Code.

Managing NOA

Ongoing management of NOA may be determined with the aid of an air monitoring program to assess asbestos exposure levels and specific risk control measures.

The person with management or control of a workplace must ensure the release of airborne asbestos is minimised. This can be done by:

• wetting surfaces to reduce the dust levels
• suppressing, containing and extracting dust in processing operations (water sprays or local exhaust at transfer points and vibrating screens)
• using wet drilling or other approved in-hole dust suppression
• preventing the spread of contamination by using wash down facilities
• providing information to and training and supervision of all workers potentially at risk
• using PPE where indicated.

Training of workers

Training on the hazards and risks associated with NOA must be provided to workers who carry out work where NOA is found. Section 6.3 of this Code provides further information on training workers about asbestos.

5.2         Contaminated sites

Sites contaminated with asbestos become a workplace when work is carried out there. The WHS Regulations require that, where asbestos is identified as contaminating a workplace, a register and asbestos management plan be created for the site.

The management and remediation of sites contaminated with asbestos from illegal dumping and demolition is a specialised task. In some instances, site remediation may entail removal of asbestos and ACM from the site; in other cases this may not be practicable, and other management strategies should be used. Engaging specialists who may include asbestos removalists is highly recommended for all but the most minor of non-friable contaminations.

The Assessment of Site Contamination National Environmental Protection Measure (NEPM) <www.nepc.gov.au/nepms/assessment-site-contamination> sets out the general principles for assessment and remediation of sites contaminated with a number of hazardous materials including asbestos. It is recommended that a person conducting a business or undertaking who has a workplace that is, or is suspected of being, contaminated with asbestos should engage specialists in accordance with the competencies found in the NEPM.

5.3         Demolition and refurbishment work

This section applies to the demolition or refurbishment of a structure or plant constructed or installed before 31 December 2003.

Examples of demolition may include:

• complete dismantling of a decommissioned industrial plant
• total destruction of a building or part of a building
• total destruction of an old boiler for the purpose of disposal.

Examples of refurbishment may include the partial dismantling of:

• a boiler for the purpose of cleaning and repairing
• large plant in order to access and remove asbestos-containing gaskets for the purpose of replacement with non-asbestos-containing gaskets
• a building by removing sections of an asbestos cement roof
• part of a building for the purpose of renovation.

Demolition and refurbishment work does not include minor routine maintenance work, or other minor work.

• Minor maintenance work includes routine work that is small scale, often short in duration and may be unscheduled. This work may require the partial dismantling of a structure or plant and may include the removal of asbestos or ACM such as gaskets or brake components, for example a piece of plant to remove an asbestos-containing gasket, a passenger lift or press machine to remove an asbestos-containing brake component, or a piece of plant for the purpose of cleaning or repair.
• Minor work includes small tasks that are of short duration, such as cutting a small hole or hand-drilling up to a few holes in an AC sheet. It is not routine or regular such as planned maintenance. It is incidental work that can be done quickly and safely within minimal control measures required to ensure safety. Examples include cutting a small hole into an asbestos-containing eave to install a cable, removal of an asbestos-containing vinyl tile to install a plumbing fixture, or hand-drilling a few holes into an AC sheet to attach a fitting.

Reviewing the asbestos register

When reviewing the asbestos register, the person with management or control of the workplace or plant should consider the following questions:

• Where is the asbestos located in relation to the proposed demolition or refurbishment?
• Are there any inaccessible areas that are likely to contain asbestos and that will be disturbed as a result of the demolition or refurbishment?
• What is the type and condition of the asbestos?
• What is the quantity of asbestos?
• What is the method of demolition or refurbishment and how will it affect the ACM?
• If the asbestos will be disturbed during the demolition or refurbishment, can it be removed safely before work commences and how can this be done?

What to do if the asbestos register indicates that asbestos is present

If the asbestos register identifies that asbestos or ACM is present, the person with management or control of the workplace must ensure all asbestos likely to be disturbed is identified and removed, so far as is reasonably practicable, before the demolition or refurbishment work starts.

The WHS Regulations allow for the demolition of part of a structure or plant in order to access in‑situ asbestos so it can be removed. For example, part of a wall may be demolished to access asbestos located in the wall cavity so it can be removed prior to further demolition.

For demolition work, if an emergency occurs, the person with management or control of the workplace must ensure a procedure is developed before the demolition work starts. The procedure must outline how to minimise the risk of exposure of workers and persons in the vicinity of the demolition site and ensure the exposure standard is not exceeded, so far as is reasonably practicable. The person must also provide the regulator with written notice of the emergency immediately after they become aware of the emergency and before the demolition starts.

Note: An emergency can occur if a building, structure or plant is structurally unsound or a collapse of the building, structure or plant is imminent.

If there is no asbestos register at the workplace

If there is no register for the workplace, the person who is carrying out the demolition or refurbishment work must not carry out the work until a competent person determines whether asbestos or ACM is fixed to or installed in the structure or plant.

If a competent person has reasonable grounds to be uncertain as to whether or not asbestos is present, before commencing demolition or refurbishment work the person carrying out the work must assume it is present. If it is determined or assumed to be present, the person carrying out the work must inform the occupier or owner (if it is domestic premises) or the person with management or control in any other case.

• Demolition – Once the person with management or control of the workplace or plant has been notified that asbestos is present and demolition work is to occur, they must decide whether the asbestos is likely to be disturbed by the work. If it is likely to be disturbed they must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the asbestos is removed before the work commences.
• Refurbishment – Once the person with management or control of the workplace or plant has been notified that asbestos is present and refurbishment work is to occur, they must decide whether the asbestos is likely to be disturbed by the work. If it is likely to be disturbed they must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the asbestos is removed. Where reasonably practicable, asbestos should be removed prior to refurbishment, renovation or maintenance rather than implementing other control measures, such as enclosure or sealing.

Demolition and refurbishment at domestic premises

When a person has been engaged to conduct demolition or refurbishment at a domestic premise,
it becomes the workplace of that person. Consequently, that person must identify and, if necessary, remove asbestos before work commences. The WHS Regulations place no duties on the homeowner.

• Demolition – A person who is engaged to conduct demolition work at a house (which has become their workplace) must identify asbestos under their management or control that is likely to be disturbed by the demolition work. They must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the asbestos is removed before the work commences.

If an emergency occurs, the person carrying out the demolition work at the domestic premise must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that before the demolition work starts a procedure is developed that will explain how to minimise the risk of exposure of workers and persons in the vicinity of the demolition site and ensure the exposure standard is not exceeded, so far as is reasonably practicable. The person must also provide the regulator with written notice of the emergency immediately after they become aware of the emergency and before the demolition starts.

• Refurbishment – A person who is engaged to conduct refurbishment work at a house (which has become their workplace) must identify asbestos under their management or control that is likely to be disturbed by the refurbishment work. They must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the asbestos is removed.

5.4         Asbestos-related work

Regulation 478-484 While work with asbestos is generally prohibited, the WHS Regulations allow work to occur on asbestos in certain circumstances: this is referred to as asbestos-related work.

Under the WHS Regulations, asbestos-related work includes:

• genuine research and analysis
• sampling and identification in accordance with the WHS Regulations
• maintenance of, or service work on, non-friable asbestos or ACM, fixed or installed before
  31 December 2003, in accordance with the WHS Regulations
• the transport and disposal of asbestos and asbestos waste in accordance with jurisdictional legislation
• demonstrations, education or practical training in relation to asbestos or ACM
• display, or preparation or maintenance for display, of an artefact or thing that is, or includes, asbestos or ACM
• management in accordance with the WHS Regulations of in‑situ asbestos that was installed
  or fixed before 31 December 2003
• work that disturbs asbestos during mining operations that involve the extraction of or exploration for a mineral other than asbestos
• laundering asbestos-contaminated clothing in accordance with the WHS Regulations
• where the regulator approves the method adopted for managing risks associated with asbestos
• soil that a competent person has determined:

• does not contain any visible asbestos
• does not contain more than trace levels of asbestos determined in accordance with
  AS 4964:2004 Method for the qualitative identification of asbestos in bulk samples

• NOA managed in accordance with an asbestos management plan.

When undertaking asbestos-related work activities, the WHS Regulations require that it only be performed in accordance with the following requirements:

• any worker undertaking asbestos-related work must be informed of the health risks of exposure to asbestos and that they will need to undergo health monitoring. Further information can be found in Health Monitoring for Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals – Guide for persons conducting a business or undertaking.
• a competent person carries out air monitoring of the work area where asbestos-related work
  is being carried out if there is uncertainty as to whether the exposure standard is likely to be exceeded
• any asbestos that may be encountered by workers undertaking asbestos-related work must
  be identified, and if it is not possible to identify, it must be assumed asbestos is present
• the area in which asbestos-related work is undertaken is separate from the rest of the workplace, so far as is possible
• the asbestos work area must be signed and barricaded to ensure that other workers do not enter the area
• facilities must be provided to allow for the decontamination of workers, equipment and the items worked upon
• anything removed from the work area must decontaminated before it is removed from the work area
• if material contaminated with asbestos is to be removed from the work area, it must be sealed within a container, which is decontaminated and labelled to indicate the presence of the asbestos and disposed of at a licensed disposal facility as soon as is practicable

• if personal protective equipment used in asbestos-related work is to be removed from the work area for disposal, it also must be sealed within a container, which is decontaminated and labelled to indicate the presence of the asbestos in accordance with the WHS Regulations and disposed of at a licensed waste facility as soon as reasonably practicable.

Appendix E provides an example of asbestos-related work. 

Managing risks associated with asbestos-related work

If there is uncertainty as to whether asbestos is present or used in a certain activity at the workplace, the person with management or control of the workplace must assume asbestos is present and treat the activity as asbestos-related work or arrange for a sample to be analysed to determine if asbestos is present.

If asbestos is identified or assumed to be present, it is essential that the asbestos register be obtained and a decision made as to whether work can be done without disturbing the asbestos,
for example:

• instead of drilling a hole through an asbestos-contaminated sheeting wall to install electrical wiring, the wiring might be able to be routed over the wall
• if a ventilation flue or pipe has to be installed in an asbestos-contaminated ceiling or roof, an alternative option may be to run the flue or pipe through a non-asbestos wall.

It is also essential to ensure all people carrying out the work have the appropriate training (refer to Section 6.3 of this Code), correct tools (refer to Section 6.4 of this Code), PPE including clothing, decontamination materials, labels and signs ready at the workplace before any work commences that may disturb the asbestos and to minimise the number of people in the area. For example:

• Consultation and training – Consultation with a person who may be affected by any maintenance and service work that might disturb asbestos should occur. People performing the work must receive all necessary training and access to the asbestos register, and the work should be documented and supervised
• Access to asbestos work area – The asbestos work area should be isolated and access restricted to only those people carrying out the asbestos work. Barriers and warning signs should be used
• PPE – PPE needs to be selected to prevent the contamination of clothing and provide adequate respiratory protection
• Replacing asbestos – Under the asbestos prohibition, wherever an asbestos component requires replacement the replacement product must be non-asbestos. It is illegal to reinstall
  or reuse any asbestos. Where an access hatch or panel that contains non-friable asbestos in good condition is moved in order to gain access, it may be replaced into its original position without modification
• Disposing of asbestos – All asbestos must be disposed of correctly. Single-use PPE used during maintenance and service work must also be disposed of. The Code of Practice: How
  to Safely Remove Asbestos provides further information on disposing of asbestos.

Before commencing any asbestos-related work, plastic sheeting may need to be placed on the floor and any other surfaces that may become contaminated with asbestos dust. At a minimum, heavy-duty 200 µm (micron) thick plastic sheeting should be used for this purpose.

Control measures for asbestos-related work

Whatever the control method used, it should be effective in making all maintenance workers aware of the presence of asbestos and preventing any work activity that might expose them, or others nearby, to airborne asbestos. Particular attention should be paid to controlling work activities that affect inaccessible areas listed in the asbestos register, such as wall cavities and ceiling spaces.

Control measures include the following:

• Eliminate the risk by not conducting the work.
• Minimise the risk by using either an isolation control, engineering control or a combination of these.

• An example of isolation by barrier is applying a small amount of substance, such as silicon or paste, to the surface of an asbestos cement sheet where a hole will be drilled. When the drill bit is drilled through the paste into the sheet and is removed, any loose fibres are collected in the paste, preventing them from becoming airborne. After drilling, the paste
  can be wiped clean with a rag and disposed of as asbestos waste.
• An example of isolation by distance is used in the automotive industry for the removal of asbestos-containing brake mechanisms from vehicles. A designated area in the workshop
  is isolated by distance from other work areas. Signs and barriers are used to communicate that access to the area is restricted during the activity. The activity also requires safe work procedures but the isolation control ensures that other workers are not at risk due to their distance from the activity. All workers must be provided with instruction and training so they understand the reason for the control measure and the relevant procedures.
• An example of engineering control is the use of a mini-enclosure to isolate the source of asbestos fibres combined with the use of extraction to capture and remove airborne fibres from the air in the work environment. This approach could be used for the task of removing and replacing the lock mechanisms from an asbestos-containing fire door. A purpose-built adjustable perspex box is fitted to the door surrounding the lock and handles on both sides of the door. Adjustments can be made to ensure a secure fit to the door and tape used to seal any possible gaps between the enclosure and the door. The box has access points for the operator’s arms to enable work to be done on the lock, as well as an entry point for a vacuum hose. The vacuum can create a negative pressure inside the enclosure to prevent fibres from escaping and can also be held directly at the source to capture any fibres that become airborne as the lock is removed from the door. At completion of the task, the vacuum is used to clean and decontaminate the enclosure as well as the operator’s arms (before removing them).

• If the risk is still present and attempts have been made to minimise the risk to health, so far as is reasonably practicable, through elimination, isolation and engineering controls, administrative controls can be implemented.

Administrative controls are systems of work or work procedures designed to eliminate or minimise risk. These controls are lower order controls that cannot be relied upon to be as effective as the higher order controls such as elimination, isolation and engineering. This
is because administrative controls are systems or procedures that rely on human behaviour to be effective and can easily fail. Administrative control measures must be understood, implemented and maintained. This requires training, information and supervision for workers but the control measure can still fail if procedures are not followed or understood.

For some activities, administrative controls are the only practicable controls that can be implemented. An example of an administrative control for asbestos-related work is a procedure for collecting samples of ACM for the purpose of analysis. Collecting the samples may involve breaking or dislodging ACM, which can lead to the release of airborne asbestos fibres and consequently a risk to health.

A safe work procedure for this task would include actions such as:

• isolating the area where the sample is to be collected
• assessing if the area is safe to enter
• minimising dust
• wearing suitable personal protective equipment
• sealing the samples, and storing and transporting them in a safe, secure manner.

For the administrative control measure to be effective and reduce risk, the person conducting the sampling must understand the risk and implement all of the procedure.
If the procedure is not followed, the health of the person conducting the sampling and others in the workplace may be at risk.

Appendix F outlines examples of safe that are likely to disturb asbestos and control measures that eliminate or minimise exposure to airborne asbestos, when carrying out service and maintenance tasks.

• If a risk to health still remains after the higher order control measures have been implemented, PPE must be used to supplement higher order controls.

Although PPE can be effective in controlling the risk from airborne asbestos fibres, the successful implementation and maintenance of this control measure requires further action and resources, including:

• the correct selection of appropriate PPE, including respirator, cartridge and coveralls
• the issuing of PPE to each individual
• training and supervision – all employees who are required to conduct asbestos-related activities and wear PPE must be given adequate training and supervision to enable them
  to fit and use the equipment correctly and conduct the task in a safe manner
• maintenance of PPE – non-disposable respirators must be checked before and after use
  to ensure the components are in good working order and are not damaged
• employee compliance and support for the system – it is essential that employees use PPE when it is required. An understanding of the risk to health from asbestos, the higher order control measures already in place and the need to use PPE to further reduce the risk to health all contribute to employees’ willingness to use PPE.

Disposable coveralls need to be of a suitable standard to prevent penetration of asbestos fibres, so far as is practicable. Disposable coveralls rated type 5, category 3 (prEN ISO 13982-1) or the equivalent would meet this standard. Any clothing worn under coveralls must be disposed of or suitably bagged for laundering as asbestos-contaminated clothing.

5.5         Disposing of asbestos or ACM

There are additional responsibilities related to the removal and disposal of asbestos, which are detailed in the Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos, for example competency and licensing requirements.

Individual components and wiping rags must be placed in plastic bags, tying each bag separately prior to placing them in the container. Disposal bags need to be heavy duty (200 µm), made of clear plastic and marked with the label ‘Caution Asbestos – Do not open or damage bag.
Do not inhale dust’. Asbestos waste awaiting disposal must be stored in closed containers
(for example, 60 or 200 litre steel drums with removable lids or sealed skip).

Asbestos waste must be transported and disposed of in accordance with the relevant state or territory Environment Protection Authority (EPA) requirements. Asbestos waste can only be disposed of at a site licensed by the EPA and it must never be disposed of in the general waste system.

6.1         Measuring the exposure standard

Airborne respirable fibre concentrations can be estimated using available data (for example, monitoring reports, data from scientific literature) or past experience (for example, monitoring reports) of the process in question. In cases of doubt, it may be necessary to confirm the estimates by measurement using the Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Fibres [NOHSC: 3003 (2005)].

Exposure monitoring measures the levels of respirable fibres in the breathing zone of the worker while work is being undertaken. Exposure monitoring must be carried out by a competent person, who may include a licensed asbestos assessor or a person who has undertaken the endorsed unit of competency for licensed asbestos assessors. An occupational hygienist who has experience in asbestos exposure monitoring may also be used. 

Where exposure monitoring is carried out, it is good practice to stop work and investigate the cause if the level of airborne asbestos in the breathing zone reaches half the exposure standard.

Although the need for exposure air monitoring will depend on the particular circumstances, the results may assist in assessing risks associated with asbestos.

Other forms of air monitoring that are relevant to asbestos work are discussed in more detail in the Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos. These include:

• control monitoring for ensuring that an enclosure or other controls used during asbestos removal are effective at preventing fibres from being found outside the work area
• clearance monitoring to ensure that the work area is free of asbestos fibres prior to being certified for reoccupation.

6.2         Health monitoring

Regulation 435-444 A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure health monitoring is provided to a worker if they are carrying out licensed asbestos removal work, other ongoing asbestos removal work or asbestos-related work and are at risk of exposure to asbestos when carrying out the work.

Health monitoring includes a medical examination to provide an initial baseline medical assessment. Health monitoring must include the following (unless another form of health monitoring is recommended by a registered medical practitioner):

• consideration of the worker’s demographic, medical and occupational history
• consideration of records of the worker’s personal exposure
• a physical examination of the worker with emphasis on the respiratory system, including standardised respiratory function tests unless another form of health monitoring is recommended by a registered medical practitioner.

Workers must be informed of any health monitoring requirements before the worker carries out work that may expose them to asbestos.

When should health monitoring occur?

Where a worker is at risk of exposure to asbestos due to work other than licensed asbestos removal, health monitoring must also be undertaken. Examples of work where there is a risk of exposure include ongoing unlicensed removal work, undertaking maintenance work on ACM regularly as part of another job (for instance, electricians or building maintenance staff in older buildings) and carrying out asbestos-related work. The need for health monitoring for these workers should be determined on the basis of:

• the potential for exposure
• the frequency of potential exposure
• the duration of the work being undertaken.

If a worker is carrying out licensed asbestos removal work, the health monitoring must be conducted prior to the worker commencing the work. Health monitoring should also be provided to the worker at regular intervals after commencing the asbestos-related work but at least once every two years.

Who can carry out health monitoring?

Health monitoring must be carried out under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner with the relevant competencies. Prior to deciding who the registered medical practitioner will be, the person conducting a business or undertaking must consult the worker.

Who pays for health monitoring?

The person conducting a business or undertaking must pay all expenses relating to health monitoring.

Where there are two or more persons that have a duty to provide health monitoring to a worker, they may choose that one person organises health monitoring (known as the person who commissions the health monitoring), however the costs must be shared equally between each person unless they agree otherwise.

What information must be provided to the register medical practitioner?

The person who commissions health monitoring must provide the following information to the registered medical practitioner:

• their name and address
• the name and date of birth of the worker
• a description of the work the worker is, or will be, carrying out that has triggered the requirement for health monitoring
• whether the worker has started the work or, if the worker has commenced carrying out the work, how long this has been for.

Health monitoring report

A person who commissions health monitoring must take all reasonable steps to obtain a report from the registered medical practitioner as soon as practicable after the monitoring is carried out. 

The health monitoring report must include the following information:

• the name and date of birth of the worker
• the name and registration number of the registered medical practitioner
• the name and address of the person conducting the business or undertaking who commissioned the health monitoring
• the date of the health monitoring
• any advice that test results indicate the worker may have contracted a disease, injury or illness as a result of carrying out the work that triggered the need for health monitoring
• any recommended remedial measures, including whether the worker can continue to carry out the work
• whether medical counselling is required for the worker.

That person must also give a copy of the report, as soon as reasonably possibly after obtaining it from the medical practitioner, to:

• the worker
• the regulator, if the report contains:

• any test results that indicate the worker may have contracted a disease, injury or illness as a result of the work that triggered the need for health monitoring
• any recommended remedial measures, including whether the worker can continue to carry out the work

• all other persons conducting a business or undertaking who have a duty to provide health monitoring for that worker.

Reports must be kept as a confidential record for at least 40 years after the record is made and identified as a formal record for the particular worker. The report and results must not be disclosed to anyone unless the worker has provided their written consent. However, if the person was releasing the record under a duty of professional confidentiality, the worker’s written consent is not required.

6.3         Training workers about asbestos or ACM

This training may include the following topics:

• purpose of the training
• health risks of asbestos
• types, uses and likely presence of asbestos in the workplace
• persons conducting a business or undertaking and the worker’s roles and responsibilities under the asbestos management plan
• where the asbestos register is located, how it can be accessed and how to understand the information contained in it
• processes and safe work procedures to be followed to prevent exposure, including exposure from any accidental release of airborne asbestos
• where applicable, the correct use of PPE including respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
• the implementation of control measures and safe work methods to eliminate or minimise the risks associated with asbestos to limit the exposure to workers and other persons
• exposure standard and control levels for asbestos
• purpose of any exposure monitoring or health monitoring that may occur.

This training is more general than the training that a worker undertaking asbestos removal work would receive. Workers who are undertaking licensed asbestos removal work are required to complete specific units of competency. Further information on these specific training requirements is available in the Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos.

Records of all training must be kept while the worker is carrying out the work and for five years after the day the worker stops carrying out the work. These records must also be available for inspection by the regulator.

6.4         Limited use of equipment

Regulation 446 A person conducting a business or undertaking must not use, or direct
or allow a worker to use, specific equipment on asbestos or ACM unless the use of the
equipment is controlled.

High-pressure water spray and compressed air must not be used on asbestos or ACM. However, high-pressure water spray can be used for fire fighting or fire protection. Power tools, brooms and any other equipment or tool that may release airborne asbestos in the workplace may only be used if it is controlled by it being:

• enclosed
• designed to capture or suppress airborne asbestos
• used in a way that is designed to capture or suppress airborne asbestos safely.

A combination of the controls mentioned above may be required to ensure that airborne asbestos is not generated.

Refer to Section 7.4 of this Code for further information on tools and equipment.

As mentioned in Chapter 3 of this Code, to eliminate risk of exposure, or if this is not reasonably practicable, minimising them so far as is reasonably practicable, a risk management process should be followed that involves identifying whether asbestos or ACM is at a workplace and including them in the asbestos register, assessing the risk of exposure and then implementing appropriate control measures.

When choosing the most appropriate control measure, the following hierarchy of controls must be considered:

• eliminating the risk (for example, removing the asbestos)
• substituting for the risk, isolating the risk or applying engineering controls (for example, enclosing, encapsulation, sealing or using certain tools)
• using administrative controls (for example, safe work practices)
• using PPE.

A combination of these controls may be required in order to adequately manage and control asbestos or ACM.

7.1         Removing asbestos

The ultimate goal is to have a workplace free from asbestos. Removal may be the most appropriate way to achieve this. For example:

• Friable asbestos – If asbestos is friable and it has been determined that it should be removed, it must be removed by a Class A licensed removalist as soon as reasonably practicable. Instances where removal should be of the highest priority would include friable asbestos that is in poor condition and is located in an area where it poses a significant risk of exposure.
• Non-friable asbestos – If asbestos is non-friable, is more than 10 m² and has been determined that it should be removed, it must be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist as soon as reasonably practicable. Where it is not reasonably practicable to remove it, control measures must be put in place to eliminate any exposure, so far as is reasonably practicable, or to minimise exposure so far as is reasonably practicable, but always ensuring the exposure standard is not exceeded. 

Specific instances where removal may be the best control measure include:

• asbestos lagging on pipes
• asbestos in plant
• asbestos-contaminated dust (ACD)
• loose fibre insulation
• cracked or damaged fibreboard containing asbestos.

The Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos provides detailed guidance on appropriate work methods and additional controls for the removal of asbestos.

If it is not reasonably practicable to remove asbestos, then other control measures must be implemented to ensure people are not exposed to airborne asbestos, including either enclosing or sealing the asbestos.

7.2         Enclosing asbestos

Where it is not reasonably practicable to remove asbestos, the preferred alternative control measure is enclosure.  

This may be determined during the risk assessment by reviewing a range of issues including productivity, the condition of the asbestos, the risk it poses to health and cost. This is an interim control measure and should be supported through regular inspections by a competent person to identify if the asbestos requires removal due to damage or deterioration.

What is enclosure?

Enclosure is the creation of a structure built around the asbestos so that it is completely covered to prevent exposure of the asbestos to air and other substances. Enclosure creates a separate physical barrier that prevents access to the asbestos and therefore minimises the potential for exposure to airborne fibres. Enclosure should only be used on non-friable asbestos where removal is not reasonably practical and where the asbestos is at risk of damage from work activities. Consideration must be given when designing the enclosure for the need to provide access to the asbestos for regular inspection of its condition.

7.3         Encapsulation and sealing asbestos

If the asbestos cannot be removed or enclosed, encapsulation or sealing is the next appropriate control measure. For example, if the asbestos is weathered, damaged or broken, it should be removed.

What is encapsulation?

Asbestos that is encapsulated in a resilient matrix, for example in reinforced plastics, vinyls, resins, mastics, bitumen, flexible plasters and cements have little opportunity to release airborne asbestos unless the matrix is damaged. This type of encapsulation will seal any loose fibres into place and should be used only when the original asbestos bond is still intact. Although encapsulation has limited application and can create a health risk for workers undertaking the activity, it is used when it would create a greater risk to remove the asbestos.

Encapsulation helps protect the asbestos from mechanical damage, increases the length of serviceability of the product and may also be used to prevent the release of airborne asbestos during the removal process.

If encapsulation is recommended, the person carrying out the work should:

• be trained and experienced in working with asbestos
• isolate the area
• use suitable RPE that complies with AS/NZS 1716:2003 Respiratory Protective Devices
• wear suitable protective clothing such as disposable overalls
• follow a safe system of work that reduces the risk of creating airborne asbestos
• follow a decontamination procedure upon completion of the task.

What is sealing?

Sealing is the process of covering the surface of the material with a protective coating over the asbestos to prevent exposure to airborne asbestos. Sealing asbestos is the least effective method for controlling the release of airborne asbestos. It should only be considered as an interim control while a more effective control such as removing or enclosing can be implemented. It is commonly used for pipe, furnace and boiler insulation. The process either coats the material, reducing fibre release, or binds the fibres together. Asbestos should be sealed, coated or painted to protect it. Sealing is inappropriate where the sealed material is likely to suffer mechanical damage (for example, drilling or sanding).

It is important to select coating that is appropriate to the material to be sealed and has the required fire resistance, thermal insulation and ultraviolet (UV) properties necessary for it to be an effective control. The coating will deteriorate if it is exposed to chemicals, extreme heat or cold, wet or dry conditions or physical impacts. For example, epoxy-based paints offer better durability and strength than other paints.

Under no circumstances should asbestos be water blasted or dry sanded in preparation for painting, coating or sealing, as there is no system of use that can effectively capture or suppress asbestos fibres in such circumstances. To treat asbestos, a method should be used that does not disturb the asbestos.

An airless sprayer at low pressure is preferred to rollers or brushes on exposed (or unsealed) asbestos, as rollers and brushes may cause abrasion/damage and result in fibres being released from the surface of the material. When using a spray brush, never use a high-pressure spray to apply the paint. You should apply it with a dry airless spray using a low pressure to avoid generating high levels of asbestos dust. Several coatings may be needed for full protection.

The surface on which the sealant is to be applied should be cleaned with an asbestos vacuum cleaner fitted with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This will help capture any loose dust or debris from the surface and ensure good adhesion of the sealant. The surface during application should not be disturbed as this releases asbestos dust.

The use of sealants of a different colour to the asbestos being sprayed is helpful in identifying its condition over time and when conducting reviews of the asbestos register. A date-stamped photograph of the sealed surface is also a good way of assisting in the recording of condition.

7.4         Tools and equipment

As mentioned in Section 6.4 of this Code, certain equipment must not be used on asbestos. It is therefore important to select the correct equipment to minimise the generation of airborne asbestos.

Manually operated (non-powered) hand tools should be used wherever possible. If they will not provide sufficient physical force to perform the required operation, low-speed, battery-powered tools that are able to be used in conjunction with wet methods for dust control are preferred.

Battery-powered tools should be fitted with a Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) dust control hood wherever possible. If an LEV dust control hood cannot be attached and other dust control methods—including pastes and gels—are unsuitable, then shadow vacuuming techniques should be used.

Where power tools with dust suppression/extraction are used, exposure monitoring should be carried out to ensure the controls used are effective in reducing the generation of fibres. It is good practice to ensure that the levels of airborne fibres do not exceed one half of the exposure standard (0.1 fibres/ml). If more than half the exposure standard is exceeded, work should be stopped and improvements made to the controls being used.

The use of high-pressure water and compressed air is prohibited under the WHS Regulations as they can cause asbestos to become friable.

Asbestos vacuum cleaners

Asbestos vacuum cleaners should comply with the requirements in AS/NZS 60335.2.69:2003 Household and similar electrical: Particular requirements for wet and dry vacuum cleaners, including power brush, for industrial and commercial use (IEC 60335-2-69 Ed 3.2 MOD).

Household vacuum cleaners must never be used where asbestos is or may be present, even if they have a HEPA filter.

More comprehensive information about asbestos vacuum cleaners is provided in the Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos.

7.5         Safe work practices

It is important that safe work practices are in place when carrying out asbestos work or asbestos-related work. Wherever possible, dry asbestos should not be worked on. Techniques that prevent or minimise the generation of airborne asbestos fibres include:

• the wetting of asbestos using surfactants or wetting agents, such as detergent water
• the use of thickened substances, pastes and gels, including hair gel and shaving cream, to cover the surfaces of asbestos being worked on (these substances should be compatible with the conditions of use, including the temperature, and should not pose a risk to health)
• the use of shadow vacuuming
• performing the task in a controlled environment (for instance, a ventilated enclosure).

When selecting the best technique, the work should first be assessed for any electrical hazards that might result from the use of water or other liquids. If an electrical hazard exists, primary consideration should be given to removing the asbestos, rather than relying on dry work methods.

If asbestos-related work or maintenance or service tasks are assessed by a competent person as involving similar levels of risk, they too may be performed only after the risks for that task have been assessed and appropriate control measures implemented.

The use of high-speed abrasive power and pneumatic tools, including angle grinders, sanders and saws, and high-speed drills, is prohibited under the WHS Regulations, except where used with dust suppression/extraction controls. These controls include local exhaust ventilation (LEV) dust control hoods that attach to the tool and isolate the area being worked on (drilled, sanded etc.) from the environment, ensuring that the dust is captured.

Appendix F outlines examples of safe work practices of service and maintenance tasks that are likely to disturb asbestos and control measures that have been implemented to eliminate or minimise exposure to airborne asbestos.

7.6         Personal protective equipment

PPE will need to be used, in combination with other effective control measures, when working with asbestos. The selection and use of PPE should be based on a risk assessment.

If work with asbestos requires the use of other chemicals that are themselves hazardous chemicals, a further risk assessment must be performed. Safety data sheets (SDS) must be referred to for information on appropriate PPE to use and any other precautions to take when using the chemicals (the manufacturer or importer of a hazardous chemical must supply an SDS on request).

The ease of decontamination should be one of the factors considered when choosing PPE.

For PPE that is not clothing and cannot be disposed of, it must be decontaminated and kept in
a sealed container until it is reused for the purposes of asbestos-related work.

Further information on decontamination and asbestos waste disposal is available in the Code
of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos.

Coveralls

• Protective clothing should be made from material capable of providing adequate protection against fibre penetration.
• When selecting protective clothing, other hazards—including heat stress, fire and electrical hazards—should also be considered.
• Disposable coveralls with fitted hoods and cuffs should be worn. Coveralls with open pockets and/or velcro fastenings should not be used, because these features can be contaminated and are difficult to decontaminate. Fitted hoods should always be worn over the straps of respirators and loose cuffs should be sealed with tape. Disposable coveralls rated type 5, category 3 (prEN ISO 13982–1) or equivalent would meet this standard.
• Asbestos fibres must be prevented from being transported outside the workplace by thoroughly vacuuming asbestos fibres from work clothes using an asbestos vacuum cleaner or, depending on the level of contamination and risk, the use of a water spray bottle or damp cloths may be appropriate.
• Disposable coveralls need to be of a suitable standard to prevent penetration of asbestos fibres so far as is practicable. Disposable coveralls rated type 5, category 3 (prEN ISO 13982-1) or the equivalent would meet this standard.
• Non-disposable coveralls are not recommended and would require specialist laundering if used.
• Any clothing worn under coveralls must be disposed of or suitably bagged for laundering as asbestos-contaminated clothing.

Footwear and gloves

• Laced boots should be avoided as they can be difficult to clean and asbestos dust can gather
  in the laces and eyelets. Laceless boots such as gumboots are preferred where practicable.
  If boot covers are worn, they should be of a type that has anti-slip soles to reduce the risk of slipping.
• Safety footwear must be decontaminated before being removed from the asbestos work area
  or sealed in double bags, the exterior of which is decontaminated, for use only on the next asbestos maintenance task. Alternatively, work boots that cannot be effectively decontaminated should be disposed of as asbestos waste at the end of the work.
• The use of protective gloves should be determined by a risk assessment. If significant amounts of asbestos fibres may be present, disposable gloves should be worn. Protective gloves can be unsuitable if dexterity is required. Personal decontamination including hand and fingernail washing should be carried out each time workers leave the asbestos work area and at the completion of asbestos maintenance and service work. Any gloves used must be disposed
  of as asbestos waste.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

• In general, the selection of suitable RPE depends on the nature of the asbestos work, the probable maximum concentrations of asbestos fibres that would be encountered in this work and any personal characteristics of the wearer that may affect the facial fit of the respirator
  (for example, facial hair and glasses).
• A competent person should determine the most efficient respirator for the task.
• RPE should comply with AS/NZS 1716-2003 Respiratory Protective Devices and be selected, used and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 1715-1994 Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Devices. They must always be worn under fitted hoods. Face pieces should be cleaned and disinfected.
• RPE should be used until all contaminated disposable coveralls and clothing has been vacuum cleaned and/or removed and bagged for disposal and personal washing has been completed. RPE should be properly stored when not in use.
• More comprehensive advice on RPE is provided in the Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos.

7.7         Laundering clothing

Disposable coveralls should be used as protective clothing unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so. When non-disposable protective clothing is used, the contaminated clothing must be laundered in a suitable laundering facility that is equipped to launder asbestos-contaminated clothing. Contaminated protective clothing must not be laundered in homes. Any clothing worn under coveralls must be disposed of or suitably bagged for laundering as asbestos-contaminated clothing. 

The laundering facility that is equipped to launder asbestos-contaminated clothing:

• should be informed of the asbestos contamination
• should have a management plan in place to control the release of respirable fibres
• should be constructed of smooth surfaces that are able to be lined with polythene sheeting
  or easily wiped clean
• may use conventional washing machines provided they are not used for other clothing
• may need to have a laundry room that is under negative pressure to eliminate or minimise the release of airborne asbestos fibres during the laundering process. This can be determined during the risk assessment
• should have procedures established for cleaning up spills and for the prevention of flooding
  of neighbouring areas.

The contaminated clothing should:

• be removed damp and thoroughly wet, then placed in impermeable containers or bags the outside of which are decontaminated and labelled to indicate the presence of asbestos before being sent to the commercial laundering facility
• not be allowed to dry out before washing.

At the laundry facility:

• the containers and bags holding the asbestos contaminated clothing should be opened in the washing machine while being further saturated. As a minimum, P1 respiratory protection must be worn while unloading clothes into the washing machine
• the empty containers or bags should be disposed of as asbestos waste. Waste water must be filtered and the filtering medium disposed of as asbestos waste.

7.8         Cleaning up

Following any asbestos work carried out, there are requirements to ensure the work area, tools and workers are decontaminated and asbestos waste is disposed of properly. In addition to this,
for licensed removal work a clearance certificate will be required before the work area can be reoccupied for ordinary use.

The Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos provides details on decontamination and waste disposal.

APPENDIX A – SAMPLING PROCESS

A competent person should take the following steps to carry out sampling:

Step 1 – Preparation

• Make sure no one else is in the vicinity when sampling is done.
• Shut down any heating or cooling systems to minimize the spread of any released fibres.
• Turn off any fans if you’re inside. If outside, then sample on a non windy day.
• Do not disturb the material any more than is needed to take a small sample.
• Collect the equipment you will need for sampling, including:

• pliers, resealable plastic bags, disposable coveralls, waterproof sealant, plastic drop sheet, water spray bottle
• P2 respirator, rubber gloves.

Step 2 – Taking the sample

• Wear disposable gloves.
• Put on respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
• Wear a pair of disposable coveralls.
• Lay down a plastic drop sheet to catch any loose material that may fall off while sampling.
• Wet the material using a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent before taking the sample. The water/detergent mist will reduce the release of asbestos fibres.
• Carefully cut a thumb nail piece from the entire depth of the material using the pliers.
• For fibre cement sheeting, take the sample from a corner edge or along an existing hole or crack.
• Place the small piece into the resealable plastic bag.
• Double bag the sample, include the date and location and an asbestos caution warning.
• Tightly seal the container after the sample is in it.
• Carefully dispose of the plastic sheet.
• Use a damp paper towel or rag to clean up any material on the outside of the container or around the area sampled.
• Dispose of asbestos materials according to state or territory and local procedures.
• Patch the sampled area with the smallest possible piece of duct tape to prevent fibre release.
• Send the sample to a NATA-accredited laboratory or one that is either approved or operated by the relevant regulator.

Step 3 – Cleaning up

• Seal the edges with waterproof sealant where the sample was taken.
• Carefully wrap up the plastic drop sheet with tape and then put this into another plastic rubbish bag.
• Wipe down the tools and equipment with a dampened rag.
• Place disposable gloves and coveralls into a rubbish bag, along with the damp rag and drop sheet.
• Seal plastic bag.
• Wash hands.
• Keep RPE on until clean-up is completed.
• Follow a decontamination procedure (personal washing) upon completion of the task.  

APPENDIX B – EXAMPLES OF WARNING SIGNS AND LABELS

APPENDIX C – TEMPLATE OF AN ASBESTOS REGISTER

APPENDIX D – EXAMPLE OF AN ASBESTOS REGISTER

APPENDIX E – EXAMPLE OF ASBESTOS-RELATED WORK

Working with asbestos friction materials

The risk of exposure to significant amounts of dust that contains asbestos fibres may exist while removing and repairing brakes, clutches and high-temperature gaskets on motor vehicles.

If the following simple controls are applied carefully, it generally should not be necessary to carry out air monitoring in the workshop while servicing vehicle brakes, clutches and cylinder head/exhaust gaskets.

A HEPA-filter industrial vacuum cleaner should be certified by the manufacturer as fit for removal work and can be used to clean all asbestos dust from components and other parts in the immediate vicinity. It may be necessary to purchase or fabricate special hose nozzles to reach difficult areas to ensure components are effectively cleaned of asbestos. Any remaining dust needs to be removed with a wet rag.

A fine spray of water on the dust will dampen it and prevent it being dispersed. The component and parts in the immediate vicinity can then be wiped down with a wet rag. The rag can only be used once. It then needs to be placed in a plastic bag and into an asbestos waste disposal bin. Any spillage onto the workshop floor needs to be wiped up and disposed of in the same way. It is important that only a gentle misting spray is used as a coarse spray will disperse the asbestos fibres into the air.

A respirator certified by the manufacturer as suitable for asbestos dust (for example, a P1 or P2 disposable respirator) needs to be worn during the above cleaning processes.

Compressed air, water hoses and aerosol cans must not be used to clean asbestos dust off components in the open workshop as they will disperse large numbers of fibres into the air.

Personal decontamination should be carried out in accordance with the WHS Regulations and this Code.

Dedicated asbestos-handling area

To minimise risks to other people, the area where asbestos components are cleaned and removed needs to be segregated and in a location where wind or cooling fans etc. will not disturb any dust. All workers must be provided with information and training on asbestos hazards, its presence and the safety procedures that must be followed.

For all removal:

• segregate the vehicle from surrounding removal work areas. Try to have at least three metres separation and avoid windy locations and cooling fans etc.
• use portable signs to indicate that asbestos removal is going on
• wear a P1 or P2 disposable respirator
• personal decontamination should be carried out in accordance with the WHS Regulations and this Code.

Brake assembly repairs – vacuum method

• Use a HEPA-filter vacuum cleaner to clean the wheel prior to undoing the wheel nuts.
• Remove the wheel and vacuum any remaining dust on the wheel.
• Vacuum all dust off the brake assembly.
• Use a wet rag to wipe down all parts and remove final traces of dust.
• Vacuum any additional dust that is exposed during disassembly.
• Place the component and rags etc. into a plastic bag, seal or tie it and then place it into a marked plastic-lined disposal bin or skip.
• Personal decontamination should be carried out in accordance with the WHS Regulations and this Code.

Brake assembly removal – wet method

• Place a tray or tape plastic sheeting on the floor under the removal area to catch spillage and assist in the clean-up.
• Use a saturated rag to wet down the wheel and wipe off dust prior to removing the wheel nuts.
• Remove the wheel and clean off any remaining dust with the wet rag.
• Use a saturated rag and gentle water mist to thoroughly damp down any dust on the brake assembly.
• Personal decontamination should be carried out in accordance with the WHS Regulations and this Code.

Brake disc pads

• Use a saturated rag to wipe off exposed dust and dust exposed during disassembly. Wipe up any spillage on the floor.
• Place the component and rags etc. into a plastic bag, seal or tie it and then place it into a marked plastic-lined disposal bin or skip.
• Personal decontamination should be carried out in accordance with the WHS Regulations and this Code.

Clutch removal and repairs

• After separating the gearbox from the engine, vacuum/wet-wipe inside the bell housing and around the pressure plate.
• On removal of the pressure plate and clutch plate, vacuum/wet-wipe the flywheel, housing and components; place used rags and removed components in a plastic bag and seal.
• Place this plastic bag into a marked plastic-lined disposal bin or skip.
• Personal decontamination should be carried out in accordance with the WHS Regulations and this Code.

Cylinder head and exhaust gaskets

• If the gasket is damaged during separation of the components, wet it with water to control asbestos fibres.
• Keep the gasket wet and carefully remove it without using power tools.
• Wipe down the joint faces and the immediate area with a wet rag.
• Place the gasket and rag into a plastic bag and seal or tie it.
• Place this plastic bag into a marked plastic-lined disposal bin or skip.
• Personal decontamination should be carried out in accordance with the WHS Regulations and this Code.

Brake shoe

The process of removing asbestos-containing linings from brake shoes and clutch parts has the potential to release large quantities of asbestos fibres. All work involving power tools should be carried out within an enclosure that is fitted with an effective dust extraction and filtration system that will eliminate or minimise the release of airborne asbestos fibres. If components are to be hand-worked, carry out the following procedure:

• Undertake the work in a separate area away from other workers, preferably in a purpose-built enclosure.
• Thoroughly wet down the component to control dust/fibres.
• Wear PPE and RPE.
• Use local extraction to minimise the spread of dust/fibres.
• Control air monitoring must be carried out to determine respirable asbestos fibre exposure levels and the suitability of PPE.
• Clean up after removal with a vacuum cleaner and wet rag.
• Place waste asbestos into a plastic bag and seal or tie it.
• Place this plastic bag into a marked disposal bag, tie or seal it and place the bag into the marked plastic-lined disposal bin or skip (see disposal section below).
• Used respirators and overalls should not be worn away from the removal work area and need to be disposed of in the same way as asbestos waste.
• Personal decontamination should be carried out in accordance with the WHS Regulations and this Code.

APPENDIX F – RECOMMENDED SAFE WORKING PRACTICES

As a first priority, planning for the maintenance of asbestos at the workplace must include consideration of the removal of the asbestos as the most preferred control option. Where removed, products containing asbestos must be replaced with products that do not contain asbestos. Removal of asbestos products must be done in accordance with the Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos.

Below are some recommended safe working methods that demonstrate how control measures can be used when asbestos is present at the workplace: 

• Safe work practice 1 – Drilling for asbestos-containing material
• Safe work practice 2 – Sealing, painting, coating and cleaning of asbestos-cement products
• Safe work practice 3 – Cleaning leaf litter from gutters of asbestos cement roofs
• Safe work practice 4 – Replace cabling in asbestos cement conduits or boxes
• Safe work practice 5 – Working on electrical mounting boards (switchboards) containing asbestos
• Safe work practice 6 – Inspection of asbestos friction materials.